Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1887-01-08
NoNA's OBEDIENCE.

Harper's Weekly.
A lovely afternoon in the spring,
when the balmy air and the fresh,
bright toilets of the ladies made a
kind of gala day, even on Broadway,
Philip Hayes stood at his office door,
thoughtfully pulling on his neat-ft-
ting gloves. say "thoughtfully,"
because that word just describes his
state of mind, which was that ofhalt-
ing between two opinions-whether
to go for his usual uptown stroll,
have a comfortable dinner at the
Westminster, and little Irritation
with Jessie Mabin, afterward, or to
cross the river and take a train for
his brothers lovely place in Jersey.
He told himself, as he was buttoning
his right glove, that the cherries were
ripe, and that he really needed a lit
tie fresh air and country milk.
But he knew of a far better reason
yet, if he would have acknowledged
it; and what is more, other people
knew it, too. Brother Will was wise
enough to credit his sister-in-law
with Philips remarkable fraternal af-
lection, and little Mona Zabriska her
self had a shrewd guess as to what
kind of cherries Mr.. Philip Hayes
came to the country to taste.
Well, on this particular afternoon
the country proved to be finally the
most powerful attraction, and in an
hour and half after the gloves had
been fitted to a nicely they were
taken off again, that the wearer might
clasp the hands of the dearest, sweet
est, brightest little country maiden
that any man with the right kind of
heart or eyes could desire to see.
What Philip said to Mona, and what
Mona said to Philip, the cherry trees
and the evening star probably know ;
but it was very delightful, and so
satisfying that the young peoplecame
back to the house without any cher
ries at all, and presently there was a
great deal of hand-shaking and kiss.
ing, which ended in a bottle ofcham.
payne and mutual good wishes.
Well, after this, for couple o.
weeks, there was no hesitating at the
Office door. Philip said "strawber
ries" now, when his friends rallied
him about his sudden passion for the
country, and the strawberry excuse
did just as well as the cherries.
But as the weather grew better, thu
subject of summer grew uppermost
Philips mother and sister were go
ing to some fashionable Virgins
springs, and he greatly desired tina
his little Mona should go with them
To tell the truth, he did wish sh,
was little more stylish, and would
put up her curls, and abandon aprons
and dress like Jessie Mabin did. Tha
would perfectly satisfy him hi
thought. Yes, Mona Zabriska, dress
cd like Jessie Mabin, would leav
him nothing to desire.
He went about his plans with tina
tact which young men who have sis
tiers easily acquire. \ little presen
from Tiffany's, and a modest checl
lust for spending money!" made hi
sister Cecilia sufficiently interested il
his project.
"Nona is dear little girl, Cecilia,
he said. 'All she wants is more
stately manner and stylish dress"
eff that is what you desire, Philip
why do you not marry Jessie Mabin
! thought you liked her well enough.
Because, Cecile, want heart il
sue the ureSS-a pure, fresh, l0Vln
heart"
at seems to me-" But here Cecil
stopped, She was wise enough t
know she would be throwing word
away"
The next difficulty was to max
Mona understand his wishes, and il
duce her to accept the invitation ser
her by his mother and sister. Heal
preached the subject under the mo,
favorable circumstances; the moor
light did not betray his confusion
and his encircling arm held her :
close to his heart that he had no fca
of not securing attention if argumer
I